FROM the dawn of the civilisation, man has had an intense relationship with nature. Wood is a basic natural product, which man has used for various purposes over the millennia. He has used it to light fire, to build shelter, to make utensils and weapons and even to carve images, deities, figures, dolls and toys. India has a rich tradition of woodcraft. The intricate designs of inlay-work, simple wood carving and painting are popular with both art lovers and connoisseurs. Sambalpur district in Orissa and Burdwan district of West Bengal have a particularly strong tradition of woodcarving. Generations of craftsmen have been engaged in this profession for centuries. Generally, ‘Gambri' wood is used for carving because of its smooth surface. At first, the craftsman draws the outline of the image in pencil on the surface of the wood. Later, he carves out the images with the help of a chisel. Usually, the craft piece is painted with artificial colours, but sometimes theoriginal colour of wood is retained to maintain the natural look. Sometimes powdered colour is used for painting. The craftsman brightens the images with his paintbrush and the colour is dried under the sun. It is then burnished to ensure shine and durability. Figures of deities like Durga and Lord Jagnnath are immensely popular among devotees. But nowadays there is a special demand for images of owls in different shapes and sizes, Brightly coloured owls or finely designed wooden dolls are no doubt a special attraction in a well-furnished drawing room. The author is a noted lensman and writer. The article was reproduced from India Perspectives quarterly.
